For a greater look at the history of RWBY, please check out our review of RWBY: Volume Seven here.
With the previous season ending as it did, there is not much surprise when we begin the latest with hopeless characters all around. The paranoia of General Ironwood pushed him to the brink as Cinder Falls and the forces of Salem breached his presumably impenetrable fortress which led to a series of disastrous decisions that continue in this newest volume including alienating people who were once considered friends. This is what RWBY has been building towards for quite a while and fans were finally greeted to some long sought-after answers as it tried to wrap up the Atlas arc. We get to understand where Cinder Falls comes from and what motivates her in her actions. There are finally key bits of information about Ruby Rose’s biological mother and the mysterious events surrounding her. Rest assured, this is not a season for newcomers to jump onboard. This one is for the day-one fans.
There are many weighty issues wrestled with throughout this season, but most important is the idea over what is the moral truth when you are in the thick of the fight. What happens when you believe yourself to be on the “good” side but circumstances lead you to question what constitutes “good” and “bad”? It is not always a theme that is handled flawlessly, as you have characters such as Ironwood who could admittedly have a deep reservoir of reasonable arguments as to why he is not a villain, but the writers often forget some of their own setups and simply position anyone who is not on team RWBY as a likely villain. The season is one of the richest in some time as it unveils lore and adds depth to many in its large roster of characters. It is this deep bench of character that also serves as a problem, though, as the creative team often short changes some of the most intriguing characters because they are trying to juggle so much in a small amount of time. The first half is information overload and the second half is a mad dash to the conclusion leaving many characters in the dust.
Even with some slightly inconsistent characterization, this season is the one that proves to be the most emotionally devastating since much earlier in the run. There are so many losses and developments that will have you screaming at your TV to turn back so you don’t have to experience it. The future of the show is more up in the air than it has been in some time. It has been a while since the loss of creator Monty Oum and we hope the writing team is keeping in mind how best to honor the series that he so brilliantly brought to life. The more you watch the show, the more you get out of it as certain smaller developments that you believed were minor parts of the narrative come back later and pay off dividends. The fandom feels as if it is at its apex, so we only hope that the creative team keeps writing the story they need to tell rather than exactly what the fans want. This is how we achieve such daring storytelling.
Video Quality
RWBY: Volume Eight comes to Blu-Ray with a stunning and vibrant 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. Black levels are very strong with no hint of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. Due to the animation style, textures and details are not the strongest. One of the shortcomings of the series is the lack of fluidity when it comes to character movement. This is true to the intended choice, though, and not a fault of the transfer or encode. The colors present in this transfer are practically leaping off the screen with the wide range of hues permeating the frame. This vividness is where the series truly shines. This is a stunning Blu-Ray presentation that should more than please fans of the property.
Audio Quality
This release boasts an immersive DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that really packs a punch throughout these fourteen episodes. Dialogue comes through clearly without getting overwhelmed by any competing sound effects or score. The track engages all of the channels with panning effects and sounds of explosions that really makes you feel like you are in the thick of the action. There is a significant amount of activity in the low-end due to the various fight scenes and other kinetic moments. Warner Bros. has delivered a fantastic audio presentation that brings this series to life quite nicely.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Various writers and directors come together to discuss the show in general terms as well in more episode-specific details in a way that is very fun for fans. Hearing these discussions only broadens your appreciation for the show.
- Talk CRWBY To Me Season 1: Listed as encompassing Episodes 1,6,7 and 8, this behind-the-scenes show runs 3-hours-and-53-minute and provides a platform for the creative team to come together and discuss various aspects of the show. There are tons of candid insights into how these episodes make it to their final form and what the general vibe of the production is overall.
- Grimm Campaign Season 1: Two episodes totaling 96 minutes are provided here which finds the creative team taking on the roles within a game for which they provide live action role playing gameplay performances.
- RTX Panel: A 58-minute virtual panel from the RTX Festival which features Kerry Shawcross, Miles Luna, Eddy Rivas, Laura Yates, Lindsay Jones, Kara Eberle, Arryn Zech and Barbara Dunkelman. There is a mixture of discussions about the show and talk of how everyone is doing personally working remotely away from everyone.
- Script 2 Screen Breakdown: A ten-minute comparison that shows various chapters from the show in script form, early animation and final animation states simultaneously.
- RWBY Volume 8 Trailer: A minute-long trailer for the season is provided here.
- Sundance Panel: An hour-long panel featuring some of the cast, crew and executives at Rooster Teeth discussing the show’s history and place in popular culture up until now, the fandom, creating a show exclusively for the internet, the impact it has had on their lives and much more.
- Art Cards: Not on disc, but this package does come with ten art cards promoting the RWBY/Justice League crossover comics released in 2021. This is exclusive to the first 20,000 purchasers.
Final Thoughts
RWBY: Volume Eight is another strong chapter in the legacy of this show. Those who are interested in diving into this journey should look elsewhere because this season does not provide an easy entry point. This is a season where long-gestating plot threads finally get paid off in a manner that will thrill longtime fans. Start from the beginning because this is a tale that rewards those who invest the time. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a stunning A/V presentation and an insane amount of special features. This will be a great addition to the shelves of any fan. Recommended
RWBY: Volume Eight is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
